Knuckle splasher

ABSTRACT

A water spraying amusement device for allowing a user to shoot water for entertainment purposes from a handgrip worn on the knuckles and connected to a pressurizing pump worn on the user&#39;s forearm. The pressurizing pump is connected to a pressurized water tank worn either on the user&#39;s back or around the user&#39;s midsection.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application60/618,534, filed Oct. 14, 2004, hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention generally relates to water amusement devices andmore particularly pertains to a new water spraying amusement device forallowing a user to shoot water for entertainment purposes from ahandgrip worn on the knuckles and connected to a pressurizing pump wornon the user's forearm. The pressurizing pump is connected to a watertank worn either on the user's back or around the user's midsection.

BACKGROUND

Water amusement devices are known in the prior art. The toy industry isextremely competitive with numerous and varying styles developed in anattempt to profit from the inherent popularity of water toys. The mosttraditional forms of water spraying amusement devices are water gunswhich are activated by a pumping action, either manually through atrigger or automatically through a battery operated motor. Because thevolume of water expelled in such water guns is limited, there is a needfor a water spraying amusement device that can hold a large volume ofwater in order to reduce the number of refill trips to a water source.There also is a need for a water spraying amusement device capable ofallowing a user to increase and maintain pressure within the devicebecause the range of water expelled from prior art devices is limited.

Further, prior art devices require a user to grasp and hold on to ahandle portion. These devices, however, may slip from a user's grip ifthe user is running around, potentially causing injury to the user ordamage to the devices. There is a need then to provide a water sprayingamusement device that is connected to the user's hand in such a way asto reduce the potential for injury or damage caused by the deviceslipping from the user's grip.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a waterspraying amusement device capable of holding a large volume of water toreduce the number of refill trips to a water source.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a waterspraying amusement device capable of allowing a user to increase andmaintain pressure within the device in order to increase the range ofwater expelled from the device.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a waterspraying amusement device capable of being connected to the user's handin such a way as to reduce injury to the user or damage to the devicecaused by the device slipping from the user's grip.

The present invention is directed to a water spraying amusement devicethat comprises a handgrip, a pressurizing pump, and a water tank. Boththe handgrip and the pressurizing pump are connected to the water tankvia hoses. The handgrip fits around the knuckles of a user's hand insuch a way as to reduce accidental slippage from the user's grip. Thepressurizing pump increases and maintains water pressure as to improvethe range of water expelled from the device. The water tank is capableof holding a large volume of water to reduce the number of refill tripsto a water source.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features of the present invention can be more readily understoodfrom the detailed description below with reference to the accompanyingdrawings herein.

FIG. 1 is a side view of a handgrip of a water spraying amusement devicein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a internal view of a handgrip of a water spraying amusementdevice in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of a handgrip of a water spraying amusement devicein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is an internal view of a handgrip of a water spraying amusementdevice in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side view of a handgrip of a water spraying amusement devicein accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a pressurizing pump of a water sprayingamusement device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a pressurizing pump of a water sprayingamusement device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a water tank of a water sprayingamusement device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a water tank of a water sprayingamusement device in accordance with an embodiment of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, handgrip 100 comprises finger holes 10, atrigger 12, a fitting 14, a pressure setting knob 16, spray nozzles 18,an outer hose 20, a first inner hose 22, a second inner hose 24, aspring 26, a valve 28, an inner chamber 30 and an outer chamber 32.

A user grips handgrip 100 by placing his or her fingers into fingerholes 10. Placing handgrip 100 over the user's knuckles reducesaccidental slippage from the user's grip in comparison to conventionalwater gun handgrips. Water travels from a water tank (see FIG. 8 andFIG. 9 below) to handgrip 100 via outer hose 20. Fitting 14 connectsouter hose 20 to handgrip 100. Water travels from outer hose 20 throughfirst inner hose 22 to outer chamber 32.

When trigger 12 is not depressed, water and pressure build up in outerchamber 32 because valve 28, held in place by an opposing spring forceexerted by spring 26, prevents water from traveling beyond outer chamber32. When trigger 12 is depressed by the user's forefinger and middlefinger, spring 26 compresses and allows valve 28 to open, allowing waterto move from outer chamber 32 into inner chamber 30. Water then movesfrom inner chamber 30 through second inner hose 24 until it is expelledthrough spray nozzles 18.

Water pressure is increased as the water travels through the varioushoses because of decreasing hose diameters. Various diameters may beused for the hoses so long as the diameter of outer hose 20 is greaterthan the diameter of first inner hose 22 and the diameter of first innerhose 22 is greater than the diameter of second inner hose 24.

The user can control the degree to which water is expelled through spraynozzles 18. Spray nozzles 18 may be adjusted to shoot varying sprays ofwater, anything from a fine mist to a strong, steady stream. The usermay also modify water pressure entering handgrip 100 by adjustingpressure setting knob 16, which increases or decreases the amount ofwater allowed to enter first inner hose 22 from outer hose 20. The usermay further increase water pressure by utilizing a pressurizing pump(see FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 below).

As shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, handgrip 200 comprises finger holes 54, atrigger 36, a fitting 38, a pressure setting knob 34, spray nozzles 52,an outer hose 20, a first inner hose 42, a second inner hose 44, aspring 46, a valve 56, an inner chamber 50 and an outer chamber 48.

A user grips handgrip 200 by placing his or her fingers into fingerholes 54. Placing handgrip 200 over the user's knuckles reducesaccidental slippage from the user's grip in comparison to conventionalwater gun handgrips. Water travels from a water tank (see FIG. 8 andFIG. 9 below) to handgrip 200 via outer hose 20. Fitting 38 connectsouter hose 20 to handgrip 200. Water travels from outer hose 20 throughfirst inner hose 42 to outer chamber 48.

When trigger 36 is not depressed, water and pressure build up in outerchamber 48 because valve 56, held in place by an opposing spring forceexerted by spring 46, prevents water from traveling beyond outer chamber48. When trigger 36 is depressed by a user's palm, spring 36 compressesand allows valve 56 to open, allowing water to move from outer chamber48 into inner chamber 50. Water then moves from inner chamber 50 throughsecond inner hose 44 until it is expelled through spray nozzles 52.

Water pressure is increased as the water travels through the varioushoses because of decreasing hose diameters. Various diameters may beused for the hoses so long as the diameter of outer hose 20 is greaterthan the diameter of first inner hose 42 and the diameter of first innerhose 42 is greater than the diameter of second inner hose 44.

The user may modify water pressure entering handgrip 200 by adjustingpressure setting knob 34, which increases or decreases the amount ofwater allowed to enter first inner hose 42 from outer hose 20. The usermay further increase water pressure by utilizing a pressurizing pump(see FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 below).

As shown in FIG. 5, handgrip 300 comprises hand hole 66, a trigger 62, apressure setting knob 58, spray nozzles 64, and an outer hose 20. Theinternal workings of handgrip 300 are the same as for handgrip 200 andcan be understood by referring to FIG. 4 and its detailed descriptionabove.

Handgrips 100, 200, and 300 may be molded from any conventionalhigh-impact plastic. Such high-impact plastics may be colored by anyconventional means to provide a wide variety of decorative colorselections for the handgrips. Handgrips 100, 200, and 300 may also beembedded with light emitting diodes (LED) so that users may utilize thepresent invention at night or in poorly lit areas. The inner and outerhoses of handgrips 100, 200, and 300 may be made of any type of flexibleelastomer, such as polyurethane.

As shown in FIG. 6, pressurizing pump 400 comprises a pump body 68, afitting 70, a pump handle 72, and arm straps 74. Pressurizing pump 400is used to increase the water pressure in handgrips 100, 200, and 300 byincreasing the amount of air in a water tank (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9below). Pump handle 72 is used to push air inside pump body 68 intofitting 70 which is connected to a hose (not shown) that runs directlyto a water tank (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 below). Arm straps 74 are used tohold pressurizing pump 400 on the user's forearm. Arm straps 74 arepreferably made out of Velcro but also can be made out of any materialthat may secure pressurizing pump 400 to the user's forearm withoutdiscomfort.

As shown in FIG. 7, pressurizing pump 500 comprises an upper pump body80, a lower pump body 84, a pump body connector 78, a pump handle 82,arm straps 86, and a pressure hose 76. Pressurizing pump 500 is used toincrease the water pressure in handgrips 100, 200, and 300 by increasingthe amount of air in a water tank (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 below). Pumphandle 82 is used to push air inside upper pump body 80 into lower pumpbody 84 via pump body connector 78. Lower pump body 84 is connected topressure hose 76 via a fitting (not shown). Pressure hose 76 runsdirectly to a water tank (see FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 below). Arm straps 86are used to hold pressurizing pump 500 on the user's forearm. Arm straps86 are preferably made out of elastic but also can be made out of anymaterial that may secure pressurizing pump 500 to the user's forearmwithout discomfort.

Pressurizing pumps 400 and 500 may be molded from any conventionalhigh-impact plastic. Such high-impact plastics may be colored by anyconventional means to provide a wide variety of decorative colorselections for the pressurizing pumps. Pressurizing pumps 400 and 500may also be embedded with light emitting diodes (LED) so that users mayutilize the present invention at night or in poorly lit areas. The hosesof pressurizing pumps 400 and 500 may be made of any type of flexibleelastomer, such as polyurethane.

As shown in FIG. 8, water tank 700 comprises waist tanks 94, a belt 92,buckles 96 and 98, a pressure hose 76, a connecting hose 88, and anouter hose 20. Waist tanks 94 hold an adequate amount of water to allowa user to utilize handgrips 100, 200, or 300 with reduced trips torefill at a water source. Water is secured within waist tanks 94 bywater caps 90. Waist tanks 94 are secured to a user's waist by belt 92and buckles 96 and 98. Pressure hose 98 connects pressurizing pump 400or 500 to water tank 700 (via a fitting, not shown). Connecting hose 88connects waist tanks 94 together (via fittings, not shown), allowing forpressure to be maintained in water tank 700. Outer hose 20 connectswater tank 700 to handgrips 100, 200, or 300 (via a fitting, not shown),thus transferring water to be expelled out of handgrips 100, 200, or300. Numerous waist tanks and connecting hoses may be utilized toincrease the amount of water the user can carry at any given time,limited only by the user's waist line. Belt 92 is preferably made ofballistic nylon but may be made out of any material that will securewater tank 700 to the user without discomfort.

As shown in FIG. 9, water tank 800 comprises a back tank 102, shoulderstraps 106, buckles 108 and 110, a pressure hose 76, and an outer hose20. Back tank 102 holds an adequate amount of water to allow the user toutilize handgrips 100, 200, or 300 with reduced trips to refill at awater source. Water is secured within back tank 102 by water cap 104.Back tank 102 is secured to a user's back by shoulder straps 106 andbuckles 108 and 110. Pressure hose 76 connects pressurizing pump 400 or500 to water tank 800 (via a fitting, not shown). Outer hose 20 connectswater tank 800 to handgrips 100, 200, or 300 (via a fitting, not shown),thus transferring water to be expelled out of handgrips 100, 200, or300. Shoulder straps 106 are preferably made of ballistic nylon but maybe made out of any material that will secure water tank 800 to the userwithout discomfort.

Water tanks 700 and 800 may be molded from any conventional high-impactplastic. Such high-impact plastics may be colored by any conventionalmeans to provide a wide variety of decorative color selections for thewater tanks. Water tanks 700 and 800 may also be embedded with lightemitting diodes (LED) so that users may utilize the present invention atnight or in poorly lit areas. The hoses of water tanks 700 and 800 maybe made of any type of flexible elastomer, such as polyurethane.

In describing exemplary embodiments, specific terminology is employedfor the sake of clarity in this disclosure. The disclosure of thispatent specification, however, is not intended to be limited to thespecific terminology so selected and it is to be understood that eachspecific element includes all technical equivalents that operate in asimilar manner.

In addition, the above specific embodiments are illustrative, and manyvariations can be introduced on these embodiments without departing fromthe spirit of the disclosure or from the scope of the appended claims.For example, elements and/or features of different illustrativeembodiments may be combined with each other and/or substituted for eachother within the scope of this disclosure and appended claims.

1. A water spraying amusement device comprising: a handgrip worn on theknuckles of a user, said handgrip further comprising a trigger connectedto a valve and a spring, wherein said valve and said spring separate aninner chamber and an outer chamber when said trigger is not depressed, afirst inner hose running from a handgrip fitting to said outer chamber,a second inner hose running from said inner chamber to at least onespray nozzle; a water tank worn on the user, said tank furthercomprising a first tank fitting connecting a first outer hose to saidhandgrip fitting and a second tank fitting; and a pressurizing pump wornon the forearm of the user, said pump further comprising a pump fittingconnecting a second outer hose to said second tank fitting.
 2. The waterspraying amusement device of claim 1 wherein said pressurizing pumpfurther comprises a pump body, a pump handle connected to said pumpbody, and at least one arm strap connected to said pump body.
 3. Thewater spraying amusement device of claim 1 wherein said pressurizingpump further comprises an upper pump body, a lower pump body, a pumpbody connector for connecting said upper pump body to said lower pumpbody, a pump handle connected to said upper pump body, and at least onearm strap connected to said lower pump body.
 4. The water sprayingamusement device of claim 1 wherein said water tank further comprises atleast one waist tank, a waist tank cap secured on said waist tank, and abelt and a buckle connected to said waist tank.
 5. The water sprayingamusement device of claim 1 wherein said water tank further comprises atleast two waist tanks, at least two waist tank caps secured on saidwaist tanks, a belt and a buckle connected said waist tanks, and atleast one waist tank connecting hose to connect said waist tanks.
 6. Thewater spraying amusement device of claim 1 wherein said water tankfurther comprises a back tank, a back tank cap secured on said backtank, and at least two shoulder straps connected to said back tank.